CN110870775A

CN110870775A - System and method for imaging an object

Info

Publication number: CN110870775A
Application number: CN201910764027.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 雷米·克劳斯; 泽维尔·曼卡迪; 雅恩·勒穆尔; 范妮·帕图洛斯
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2018-08-31
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2020-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-19
Also published as: CN110870775B; US10722187B2; US20200069261A1; JP2020044328A; EP3616622A1

Abstract

The invention provides a system for imaging. The system includes an x-ray source, a detector, and a controller. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The controller is configured to: acquiring preliminary data about the object via the x-ray source and the detector; determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

Description

System and method for imaging an object

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to medical technology and, more particularly, to systems and methods for imaging an object.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Digital tomosynthesis is an imaging technique that provides volumetric data acquisition from a selected region of the body. Many tomosynthesis imaging systems include a moving arm that moves an x-ray source along a curved and/or linear path relative to a subject to obtain a plurality of projection images of a body part. The digital processor then reconstructs a three-dimensional ("3D") image of the object from the projection images. Unlike conventional computed tomography ("CT"), which involves reconstructing a 3D image from projection images that form a complete circle around an object, projection images used in tomosynthesis imaging systems typically form a partial circle, i.e., an arc, as compared to a full circle.

Many conventional tomosynthesis imaging systems acquire projection images via a "step-and-shoot" image acquisition technique, i.e., the x-ray source is moved along a path to and stopped at one or more positions, so that a projection image is acquired at each position at which the x-ray source is stationary during the emission of the x-ray beam. It will be appreciated that projections acquired via step-and-shoot scanning are generally not affected by motion blur artifacts (also referred to herein simply as "motion blur"). Other conventional tomosynthesis systems acquire projections via a "continuous sweep" scan, i.e., acquiring projections at one or more locations along a path without stopping the x-ray source. While continuous sweep scans have, on average, shorter scan times than step-and-shoot scans, projections acquired via continuous sweep scans generally have a high risk of experiencing motion blur.

To reduce the risk of inducing motion blur, many conventional tomosynthesis systems perform successive sweep scans using the same tightly controlled predetermined parameters for each scan. While using the same predetermined parameters for each scan reduces the risk of motion blur in many consecutive scans, motion blur may be caused for cases where the "scan speed" (i.e., the speed of the x-ray source along the path) and the "pulse duration" (i.e., the time period of a single exposure of electromagnetic radiation) cause the x-ray source to move far enough (e.g., about one (1) mm) along the path during a single exposure/pulse. Thus, the scan speed and/or pulse duration of many conventional continuous scan tomosynthesis systems is limited. In other words, the use of the same predetermined parameters for each scan by conventional tomosynthesis systems limits the "acquisition speed" of the scanning process, i.e., the speed at which the tomosynthesis system can scan the object.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for imaging an object.

Brief description of the drawings

In one embodiment, a system for imaging is provided. The system includes an x-ray source, a detector, and a controller. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The controller is configured to: acquiring preliminary data about the object via the x-ray source and the detector; determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

In another embodiment, a method for imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring preliminary data of an object via a controller, an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The method further includes determining, via the controller, at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring, via the controller, the x-ray source, and the detector, one or more projections of the object based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. The stored instructions adapt the controller to acquire preliminary data from the object via the x-ray source and the detector. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The stored instructions further adapt the controller to: determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for imaging a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of yet another orientation of the system of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of yet another orientation of the system of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of yet another orientation of the system of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of yet another orientation of the system of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a method for imaging a subject with the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a general system for imaging an object, illustrating step-and-shot image acquisition; and is

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a general system for imaging an object, which demonstrates a continuous sweep scan.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, without repeated descriptions.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "generally," and "approximately" indicate a condition within reasonably achievable manufacturing and assembly tolerances relative to an ideal desired condition suitable for achieving the functional purpose of a component or assembly. As used herein, "electrically coupled," "electrically connected," and "in electrical communication" mean that the referenced elements are directly or indirectly connected such that an electrical current may flow from one to the other. The connection may comprise a direct conductive connection (i.e., without intervening capacitive, inductive, or active elements), an inductive connection, a capacitive connection, and/or any other suitable electrical connection. Intervening components may be present. As used herein, the term "real-time" refers to a level of processing responsiveness that a user senses as being sufficiently direct or to enable a processor to keep up with external processes. As further used herein, the terms "scan," "procedure," and/or "imaging procedure" refer to the acquisition of data by an imaging system from which one or more images of an object may be generated. As used herein, the term "acquisition parameters" refers to settings of a device or properties of an object to be imaged that affect the operation of an imaging system. As further used herein, the terms "continuous sweep" and/or "continuous sweep scan" refer to a method of acquiring images via an imaging system in which an x-ray source is moved along a path in a continuous manner relative to a corresponding x-ray detector, i.e., projections are acquired at one or more locations along the path without stopping the x-ray source. As used herein, the term "preliminary data" refers to data relating to properties of an object that affect imaging of the object (e.g., attenuation, size, shape, density, etc.).

Additionally, while embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to x-ray based imaging systems (e.g., tomosynthesis imaging systems), it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention are equally applicable to other devices and/or imaging systems that perform tomography, have low parameter setting tolerances, and/or have parameters that are difficult to calculate. Furthermore, embodiments of the imaging system associated with the present invention may be used to analyze objects within any material that is generally internally imageable. As such, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to analyzing objects within human tissue.

Referring now to fig. 1, the major components of a system 10 for imaging a subject/patient 12 (fig. 2) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are shown. In this embodiment, the system 10 is a breast x-ray machine configured for tomosynthesis, but it is understood that other configurations/embodiments are disclosed herein (fig. 2-6). As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an x-ray source 14, an x-ray sourceA line detector 16 and a controller 18. The x-ray source 14 is operable to transmit x-rays 20 (FIG. 2) through the object 12 (FIG. 2) while the x-ray source 14 is along a scan angle defined by a scan angle

The defined path 22 travels continuously at a start position 34 and an end/stop position 36 (both may be interchanged). The x-ray detector 16 is operative to receive x-rays 20 after the x-rays have passed through the subject 12. As will be appreciated, and as explained in greater detail below, the controller 18 is operable to acquire preliminary data about/from the object 12 via the x-ray source 14 and the detector 16, determine at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data, and acquire one or more projections/images of the object 12 based at least in part on the acquisition parameter. In other words, embodiments of the present invention acquire projections of subject 12 via successive sweeps based on preliminary data acquired from subject 12, with acquisition parameters that have been customized/customized for subject 12.

The controller 18 may be a workstation having at least one processor and a memory device as shown in fig. 1, or in other embodiments, the controller 18 may be embedded/integrated into one or more of the components of the system 10 disclosed above. In an embodiment, the controller 18 may be in electrical communication with the x-ray source 14, the x-ray detector 16, and/or the sensor 24 (fig. 2) via an electrical and/or optical communication connection 40. The connection 40 may be a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. It is to be appreciated that, in an embodiment, the controller 18 may include a radiation shield 42 that protects an operator of the system 10 from the x-rays 20 emitted by the x-ray source 14. The controller 18 further may include a display 44, a keyboard 46, a mouse 48, and/or other suitable user input devices that facilitate controlling the system 10 via a user interface 50 (e.g., a graphical user interface ("GUI")). Data regarding the x-rays 20 received by the x-ray detector 16 may be electrically communicated from the x-ray detector 16 to the controller 18 via the cable/electronic connection 40 such that the controller 18 generates/reconstructs one or more images that may be displayed on the display 44.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the system 10 may further compriseA sensor 24, which may be disposed on the x-ray source 14, is included for acquiring preliminary data. The x-ray source 14 may be rotatably mounted to a moving arm 26 that is fixed to a support structure 28, e.g., a mounting frame and/or a ceiling of a room, such that the x-ray source 14 is capable of aligning the x-rays 20 along a projection line 30 (i.e., a centerline of the rays 20) that continuously intersects a target location 32 on the x-ray detector 16 as the moving arm 26 moves the x-ray source 14 along the path 22. Path 22 may have a start position 34 and an end/stop position 36 such that projection line 30 sweeps through a sweep angle of object 12

A defined area. It will be appreciated that while the path 22 is illustrated herein as being linear, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the path 22 may have a curved shape, for example, the system 10 may be a breast x-ray machine as shown in fig. 1, and/or may have any other shape configured for tomosynthesis. Furthermore, angle of sweep

May be less than 365 °, and in some embodiments, may be between about 0 ° and 180 °, 20 ° and 100 °, 20 ° and 80 °, 20 ° and 40 °, or 20 ° and 30 °. It is understood that in some embodiments, the sweep angle Φ can be greater than or equal to 365 °.

As further shown in fig. 2, the x-ray detector 16 is positioned opposite the x-ray source 14 such that the object 12 is disposed between the x-ray source 14 and the x-ray detector 16. Although x-ray detector 16 is depicted herein as being stationary relative to object 12, it should be understood that in other embodiments, x-ray detector 16 moves relative to object 12 (e.g., x-ray source 14 and x-ray detector 16 rotate about axis Φ as shown in fig. 1). Additionally, the x-ray detector 16 may be integrated into an object support structure 38 (e.g., a table and/or other platform structure) that, in an embodiment, is used to support the entire object 12 or a portion of the object 12. For example, as shown in fig. 1-6, in an embodiment, the system 10 may be configured to perform: breast x-ray sweep (fig. 1); a table horizontal sweep (fig. 2) for supine imaging; ledge vertical sweep (fig. 3) for upright imaging; table side sweep for supine imaging (fig. 4); the ledge is swept across the table for cross-table imaging of a patient lying down (fig. 5) and/or standing (fig. 6).

Reference is now made to fig. 1, 2 and 7; a method 52 (fig. 7) of imaging subject 12 (fig. 2) with system 10 (fig. 1) is shown. The method 52 includes acquiring 54 preliminary data 56 about/from the subject 12 via the controller 18, the x-ray source 14, and the detector 16 while the x-ray source 14 is continuously traveling along the path 22. The method 52 further includes determining 58 at least one acquisition parameter 60 from/based at least in part on the preliminary data 56. The method 52 further includes acquiring 62 one or more projections 64 of the object 12 via the controller 18, the x-ray source 14, and the detector 16 based at least in part on the acquisition parameters 60.

Thus, as shown in fig. 7, in an embodiment, the acquisition parameters 60 may be: the number of projections 66, i.e., the number of projections acquired by x-ray source 14 and detector 16 as x-ray source 14 travels along path 22 in a continuous manner; a rotational speed 68 of the x-ray source 14, i.e., a speed at which the x-ray source 14 rotates along the path 22 such that the radiation 20 (FIG. 2) remains aligned on the target location 32 (FIG. 2); the angular extent 70 of the x-ray source 14, i.e., the angular distance between the ray 20 and the centerline 30 (FIG. 2) of the object 32 (FIG. 2) at the first location 34 (FIG. 2) and the ray 20 and the centerline 30 (FIG. 2) of the object 32 at the second location 36 (FIG. 2); and/or an angular step 72 between projections of the one or more projections 64, i.e., a distance along path 22 between projections 64 acquired 62 via x-ray source 14 and detector 16.

In an embodiment, the preliminary data 56 includes attenuation properties 74 of the object 12, for example, polymethyl methacrylate equivalent thickness ("PMMA") at the most dense locations. It will be appreciated that in embodiments, the attenuation properties 74 may be derived from the preliminary data 56 via one or more models, such as a look-up table, containing the following values: anode material, filter selection, kVp, mAs per pulse and/or time, rotation speed, and number of projections. It is to be appreciated that in an embodiment, the preliminary data 56 may further include thickness information/data acquired via the sensor 24 and/or derived from a position of a device/component (e.g., compression paddle) of the system 10 relative to the subject 12.

In an embodiment, method 52 further may include generating 763D images, e.g., 3D digital breast tomosynthesis images, from one or more projections 64 via controller 18.

As described above, in some embodiments, the sensor 24 is used to acquire 54 preliminary data 56 from the subject 12. Thus, in an embodiment, the sensor 24 may be an optical camera that acquires an image/picture of the subject 12, i.e., the preliminary data 56 is an optical image. As such, sensor 24 may be mounted on x-ray source 14 (e.g., an x-ray tube), on moving arm 26, support structure 28, and/or in any other manner so as to provide a clear path (e.g., a line of sight) from sensor 24 to subject 12. It is to be appreciated that in such embodiments, the sensor 24 is used to image the subject 12 with visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and/or other forms of electromagnetic radiation suitable for imaging the subject 12. Further, the sensor 24 may acquire a single image and/or multiple images. In an embodiment, the sensor 24 may acquire a geometric shape (e.g., a plurality of points along the surface of the object 12), where the points may or may not constitute an image.

In an embodiment, preliminary data may be acquired 54 during pre-capture/pre-exposure, which as used herein refers to an image of object 12 acquired by x-ray source 14 and detector 16 and analyzed before system 10 acquires 62 subsequent projections/images of object 12. For example, in an embodiment, the pre-shot may be a low resolution two-dimensional ("2D") image acquired via a lower x-ray dose than an image subsequently acquired via the x-ray source 14 and detector 16 and used to make a medical diagnosis. In addition, the pre-shot may include multiple views of the subject 12.

In some aspects, the preliminary data 54 may come from outside the system 10. For example, in an embodiment, the preliminary data may be a radiological medical image, such as an x-ray image, a digital tomosynthesis image, a magnetic resonance image ("MRI"), a positron emission tomography ("PET") image, and/or any other type of medical image acquired by a different imaging system or acquired by the same imaging system at a different time and stored in a database accessible to the controller 18. Similarly, the controller 18 may access additional data about the subject 12, such as a patient's medical history stored in a database outside of the room in which the system 10 is housed. Further, in certain aspects, the preliminary data may be processed and/or obtained using artificial intelligence ("AI") and/or deep learning algorithms. For example, in an embodiment, such an algorithm may generate/obtain preliminary data by analyzing medical information to include pre-acquired images extracted from a database, as described above.

In an embodiment, determining 58 acquisition parameter 60 may be based on one of: anode material of the x-ray source 14; peak kilovoltage ("kVp") of x-ray source 14; milliampere ("mA") per pulse of the x-ray source 14, i.e., the integral of the current flowing through the tube/generator of the source 14 during the pulse, which may be in milliampere seconds ("mAs"); and/or the number of projections, e.g., the desired number of projections to be acquired by the x-ray source 14 and the detector 18. It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, the acquisition parameter 60 may be determined 58 based on input received by the controller 18 via the keyboard 46, mouse 48, or other suitable input device (e.g., a touch screen). For example, the system 10 may acquire and display an optical image of the subject 12 on the display 44, and an operator of the system 10 may then select a portion of the subject 12 in the image, which in turn may be used by the controller 18 to adjust one or more of the acquisition parameters disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the method 52 further includes stopping 78 acquisition of one or more projections when the number of projections acquired by the x-ray source 14 and the detector 16 equals the desired number of projections, or when the angle of rotation of the x-ray source (i.e., the angle between the centerline 30 of the rays 20 and the detector 16) reaches a desired number of degrees/angle of rotation.

Thus, in operation according to one embodiment, the object 12 is placed on and/or in front of the detector 16. The controller 18 then acquires 54 preliminary data 56 from the subject 12 via a pre-scan. The controller 18 then determines 58 one or more acquisition parameters 60, such as the number of desired projections 66, the rotational speed 68, the angular range 70, and/or the angular step 72, from the one or more attenuation properties 74 derived from the preliminary data 56. The controller 18 then begins acquiring 62 the projections 64 by accelerating the x-ray source 14 along the path 22 until the desired speed/rotational speed is reached. While at the desired speed/rotational speed, the controller 18 then begins acquiring projections 64 in accordance with the acquisition parameters 60 of the determination 58. After the desired number of projections are acquired and/or the desired angle of rotation is reached, the controller 18 stops 78 acquiring the projections. After acquiring the projections, the controller 18 then proceeds to generate 76 a 3D image of the object 12 from the projections.

Thus, it can be appreciated that some embodiments of the present invention rank (i.e., split/divide) the total x-ray exposure of subject 12 over a relatively large number of individual exposures (e.g., typically twenty (20) to thirty (30), and/or in embodiments, up to fifty (50)), which in turn provides the ability to deviate from the desired number of projections to acquire an accurate/calculated and/or from the desired/calculated rotation angle.

It will also be appreciated that system 10 may include the necessary electronics, software, memory, storage, databases, firmware, logic/state machines, microprocessors, communication links, displays or other visual or audio user interfaces, printing devices, and any other input/output interfaces for performing the functions described herein and/or achieving the results described herein (which may be done in real-time). For example, as previously described, a system may include at least one processor and system memory/data storage structures, which may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The at least one processor of the system may include one or more conventional microprocessors and one or more auxiliary coprocessors, such as math coprocessors and the like. The data storage structures discussed herein may include a suitable combination of magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash drives, optical disks such as compact disks, and/or hard disks or drives.

Additionally, a software application that adapts a controller to perform the methods disclosed herein may be read into the main memory of the at least one processor from a computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that provides or participates in providing instructions to at least one processor of system 10 (or any other processor of a device described herein) for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical, magnetic, or opto-magnetic disks, such as memory. Volatile media includes Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM or EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable read-only memory), a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Although in an embodiment execution of sequences of instructions in a software application causes at least one processor to perform the methods/processes described herein, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the methods/processes of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or software.

Finally, fig. 8 and 9 show examples of step-and-shoot (fig. 8) and continuous sweep scans (fig. 9), respectively, of an x-ray source 14 disposed on an object 12 supported by an x-ray detector 16. The x-ray source 14 moves along a path 22 having a start position 34 and an end position 36 and emits x-rays 20. As can be seen in the step-and-shoot example depicted in fig. 8, the x-ray detector 14 makes a series of individual stops along the path 22 in order to acquire projections of the object 12, in contrast to the motion shown in fig. 9, where the x-ray source 14 acquires projections of the object 12 while continuously moving along the path 22.

It is to be further understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.

For example, in one embodiment, a system for imaging a subject is provided. The system includes an x-ray source, a detector, and a controller. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The controller is configured to: acquiring preliminary data about the object via the x-ray source and the detector; determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters. In certain embodiments, the acquisition parameter is at least one of a number of projections, a rotational speed of the x-ray source, an angular range of the x-ray source, and an angular step between projections of the one or more projections. In certain embodiments, the preliminary data includes attenuation properties of the object. In certain embodiments, the attenuation property is the polymethyl methacrylate equivalent thickness at the densest locations. In certain embodiments, the controller determines the at least one acquisition parameter based at least in part on one of an anode material of the x-ray source, a filter selection of the x-ray source, a peak kilovoltage of the x-ray source, a number of milliamps per pulse of the x-ray source, a rotational speed of the x-ray source, and a number of projections. In certain embodiments, the controller is further operable to generate a three-dimensional image from the one or more projections. In certain embodiments, the path is configured for tomosynthesis. In certain embodiments, the controller is further operable to stop acquiring the one or more projections when a number of the one or more projections acquired by the x-ray source and the detector equals a desired number of projections, or when an angle of rotation of the x-ray source reaches a desired angle of rotation.

Other embodiments provide methods for imaging an object. The method includes acquiring preliminary data of an object via a controller, an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The method further includes determining, via the controller, at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring, via the controller, the x-ray source, and the detector, one or more projections of the object based at least in part on the acquisition parameters. In certain embodiments, the acquisition parameter is at least one of a number of projections, a rotational speed of the x-ray source, an angular range of the x-ray source, and an angular step between projections of the one or more projections. In certain embodiments, the preliminary data includes attenuation properties of the object. In certain embodiments, the attenuation property is the polymethyl methacrylate equivalent thickness at the densest locations. In certain embodiments, determining, via the controller, the at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data is based, at least in part, on one of: anode material of the x-ray source, filter selection of the x-ray source, peak kilovoltage of the x-ray source, milliamps per pulse of the x-ray source, rotational speed of the x-ray source, and number of projections. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises generating, via the controller, a three-dimensional image from the one or more projections. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises stopping acquiring the one or more projections when a number of the one or more projections acquired by the x-ray source and the detector equals a desired number of projections, or when the angle of rotation of the x-ray source reaches a desired angle of rotation.

Still other embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions. The stored instructions adapt the controller to acquire preliminary data from the object via the x-ray source and the detector. The x-ray source is used to transmit x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle. The detector is for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The stored instructions further adapt the controller to: determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters. In certain embodiments, the acquisition parameter is at least one of a number of projections, a rotational speed of the x-ray source, an angular range of the x-ray source, and an angular step between projections of the one or more projections. In certain embodiments, the preliminary data includes attenuation properties of the object. In certain embodiments, the attenuation property is the polymethyl methacrylate equivalent thickness at the densest locations. In certain embodiments, the determination of the at least one acquisition parameter is based, at least in part, on one of: anode material of the x-ray source, filter selection of the x-ray source, peak kilovoltage of the x-ray source, milliamps per pulse of the x-ray source, rotational speed of the x-ray source, and number of projections.

Thus, it can be appreciated that by utilizing information acquired during a preliminary scan/pre-scan of an object, some embodiments of the present invention provide optimized acquisition parameters for a continuous sweep scan in order to reduce the risk of motion blur artifacts, which in turn provides faster scan times, longer pulse/exposure times, and/or shorter acquisition times for continuous sweep tomosynthesis. In other words, some embodiments of the present invention provide improved scan times with less motion blur by tailoring the acquisition sequence of a continuous tomosynthesis imaging system to the scanned object as compared to conventional systems that typically implement an integrally applicable approach.

It will be further appreciated that by customizing/tailoring the acquisition sequence to the scanned object (e.g., increasing/decreasing the number of projections to be acquired and/or adjusting the rotation speed), some embodiments of the present invention reduce the individual exposure time for each projection compared to conventional imaging systems, which in turn provides a lower x-ray dose to the object for a given image quality. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention seek to adjust the trade-off between speed/dose and image quality.

In addition, while the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-english equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "characterized by. Furthermore, in the following claims, terms such as "first," "second," "third," "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," and the like are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the limitations of the following claims are not written in a device-plus-function form and are not intended to be so interpreted, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "device for …," then a functional statement and no other structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include other such elements not having that property.

Since certain changes may be made in the above-described invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of the inventive concept and shall not be interpreted as limiting the invention.

Claims

1. A system for imaging, comprising:

an x-ray source for transmitting x-rays through an object while the x-ray source is continuously traveling along a path defined by a sweep angle;

a detector for receiving the x-rays after they have passed through the object; and

a controller to:

acquiring preliminary data about the object via the x-ray source and the detector;

determining at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and

acquiring one or more projections of the object via the x-ray source and the x-ray detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the acquisition parameter is at least one of: a number of projections, a rotational speed of the x-ray source, an angular range of the x-ray source, and an angular step between projections of the one or more projections.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the preliminary data includes attenuation properties of the object.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the attenuation property is a polymethyl methacrylate equivalent thickness at a most dense location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines the at least one acquisition parameter based at least in part on one of: anode material of the x-ray source, filter selection of the x-ray source, peak kilovoltage of the x-ray source, milliamps per pulse of the x-ray source, rotational speed of the x-ray source, and number of projections.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further to:

a three-dimensional image is generated from the one or more projections.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the path is configured for tomosynthesis.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further to:

stopping acquiring the one or more projections when a number of the one or more projections acquired by the x-ray source and the detector equals a desired number of projections, or when a rotation angle of the x-ray source reaches a desired rotation angle.

9. A method for imaging, comprising:

acquiring preliminary data of an object via a controller, an x-ray source for transmitting x-rays through the object while the x-ray source continuously travels along a path defined by a sweep angle, and an x-ray detector for receiving the x-rays after the x-rays pass through the object;

determining, via the controller, at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data; and

acquiring one or more projections of the object via the controller, the x-ray source, and the detector based at least in part on the acquisition parameters.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining, via the controller, at least one acquisition parameter from the preliminary data is based at least in part on one of: anode material of the x-ray source, filter selection of the x-ray source, peak kilovoltage of the x-ray source, milliamps per pulse of the x-ray source, rotational speed of the x-ray source, and number of projections.